Australian dlr hovers near 4-month highs, RBA speech awaited

* Aussie seen heading by some back to 95 cents

* RBA Governor to speak at 0330 GMT, may comment on currency

* NZD underpinned by growing economy, higher rates

By Gyles Beckford and Cecile Lefort

SYDNEY/WELLINGTON, March 26 (Reuters) - The Australian dollar hovered near four-month highs on Wednesday and the New Zealand dollar held firm on rising speculation China will unveil some form of stimulus to boost its economy.

The Aussie AUD=D4 held at $0.9160, very close to a December peak of $0.9175 set in the prior session. On a trade-weighted basis, it scaled a four-month high of 70.3

=AUD .

The next major resistance is seen at $0.9210, the 50 percent retracement of the currency's fall between October and January, and technical charts point north.

The currency has gained nearly three cents since the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) shifted its monetary policy to neutral from easing earlier this year.

All eyes are on Glenn Stevens, governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), due to speak at 0330 GMT in Hong Kong. Recent Aussie strength could trigger a fresh round of jawboning that the currency is too high, though RBA officials have been noticeably less aggressive in their comments recently.

"If there is no talk of dissuading markets of buying the Aussie, it will break higher," said David Scutt, a trader at Arab Bank Australia.

"The speculative community is still Aussie short and we could see more short-covering," he said, seeing potential for the Aussie to head back towards 95 cents.

Also underpinning the Aussie are expectations that China will take more steps to bolster its slowing economy. The Australian dollar is sensitive to news out of China, a key export destination. The market often uses the Aussie as a liquid proxy for China-centric investments.

The New Zealand dollar NZD=D4 was firm around $0.8588, benefiting from the overall improved tone in markets from upbeat

U.S. consumer confidence data.

"With the Kiwi rallying on the back of a resurgent euro late last night, and coupled with the RBNZ's clear intent to move rates higher in the coming months, the Kiwi should hold $0.8500 as a solid base going forward," said ASB Bank economist Daniel Smith.

Near-term support is seen at $0.8540 with offers expected near the year-to-date high of $0.8642 touched last week.

Against a trade-weighted basket of currencies, the kiwi was firmer at 80.08 =NZD . A recent rally in the Aussie

AUDNZD=R , up 1.5 percent in the past week, looked to have run out of steam as it eased to NZ$1.0677.

A run of strong data has been underpinning the kiwi. February trade figures due on Thursday are expected to show a NZ$600 million surplus for the month and a modest annual surplus on the back of strong dairy exports. Href="NewsSearch">NZ/POLL

New Zealand government bonds 0#NZTSY= traded with a mild bid tone, sending yields a tick lower along the curve.

Australian government bond futures were a touch softer, with the three-year bond contract YTTc1 down a tick to 96.950. The 10-year contract was steady at 95.870, having touched a two-month low Tuesday.

(Editing by Eric Meijer)

((Cecile.Lefort@thomsonreuters.com)(+61 2 9373-1234)(Reuters Messaging: cecile.lefort.thomsonreuters@reuters.net))

Keywords: MARKETS AUSTRALIA/FOREX